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Twenty-Two

Gerald watched as her heart rose and fell. Simi held her hands,watching with anticipation. Her mother moved her head and spoke to her with a tiny voice. Even with his super hearing,Gerald coildn't pick what was been said.

He turned away and faced Doctor Marcus.

"She will survive?"

"Yes. The Empress Mother will survive. But she will be incapable of moving for days if not weeks. She was thoroughly drained by the werewolves?"

"Then how is she alive?"

"They didn't suck her dry,Your Eminence. There was not one bite on her. Instead, they harvested her blood, using hoses to drain her and revein to make sure she doesn't stop bleeding."

They harvested her! "For how long?"

The doctor felt his brow. "That I can't say, Your Grace. It most have been long enough for her to almost die."

"I see. Make sure she gets the best of treatment and make sure that apart from the Empress, no one disturbs her sleep."

"Yes, My Emperor."

Gerald walked away, his head swimming in thoughts. They were harvesting her! He didn't want to know what they wanted to do, but it wasn't good. A vampire's blood could be user for various spells. The older the vampire, the more uses one could find for it. Her blood was very old and she came from a powerful stock normally, so Gerald was sure that they were trying to do something deadly.

I need to hear what Zachris has to say. Jake was in the hospital wing with the Empress Mother, but Zachris and Cleopatra returned to rescue some of the other vampires imprisoned in that mountain, so he had to wait for their return to debrief him.

The old woman was chained and fixed to the ground. Jake found an axe and sent it descending swiftly on the chains, breaking her free. Zachris moved to take her. As he moved her, Jake saw the amount of blood that was running down some holes on the ground from the wounds on her body.

Austin, still recovering, drew a huge breath of air. Justin's eyes darkened. "They were harvesting her."

"Harvesting her?"

"Her blood." Zachris said as he carried her gently. "The werewolves probably want to use her blood for something dreadful. Jake, help Cleopatra. We have to get out of here quick."

Jake attempted to carry her, but she refused.

"I can walk, Jake. Just support me."

They moved quickly, meeting no guard along the way.

"Where are the guards?"

"They must be fighting the other vampires we had released." Jake answered. Justin moved in front of them, free from the burden of carrying Austin. Jake was next with Cleopatra, then Zachris with the Empress Mother. Austin made the rear, staggering a bit yet still strong enough to battle.

Suddenly they heard a horn, blaring loud and clear. Zachris urged them on, hoping to avoid any encounter with werewolves.

They were late.

The werewolves poured from several parts of the mountain, surrounding them. Zachris attempted to turn back, but he found their backs surrounded as well. The werewolves snapped and growled, all of them in their animal form, yet they didn't attack for some reason. That gave Zachris the chance to organize them. Cleopatra let go of Jake and stayed with Austin at the back while Jake and Justin watched the front.

"Jake!"

The sound came from the top of the mountain. Jake looked up and found a vampire looking down at them. He was dark skinned, with red eyes and golden-white hair and a silver armour. An Imperious.

"Jake! How nice is it for us to meet." He started to descend from his heights. "You are surprised that I know you but obviously I do know you. You are our salvation!" He glanced at the others. "Our salvation from them."

Jake was not impressed. "Well, I guess that I should introduce myself first. I am Count Olorundayo, once of your coven, now of this mountain. I am of your kind, as you can already tell. I can teach you more and more of yourself and your people. These people." He looked at Zachris. "These vampires do not deserve your help. Remember how they treated you when you arrived to their coven? How they kidnapped you and made you suffer before you could even make a defence of yourself?"

"That doesn't matter!" Austin replied. "He is one of us!"

"Is he now?" Count Olorundayo responded. "Or is he just with you because it is convenient for you? Tell me Jake, if this mission fails, will you be given a pat in the back or will your life be in danger again? Will the Empress forgive you or will she ask for your head? You know the answer."

So, I will give you a choice. Join us and be free and respected. I will spare these your 'friends' and allow them to take her home. Refuse and these pack of wolves will tear you all apart. Choose wisely."

Jake gave him dead eyes. "I don't know you and I don't trust you."

"That can be amended."

"Even so, I won't betray them or my father. I am leaving with them."

"Them?" The count gave a bitter laugh. "Them? They don't care a penny if you live or die. They don't care about you, Jake. You know that this mission was compromised from the start. The werewolves you killed before you came here told me you overheard their conversation. Your father knew that this mission was dangerous, that it was compromised, yet he sent you here to die. Tell me, why do you show them loyalty when they only give you grief?"

Cleopatra moved close to him. "I can get us out of here. But I will need your strength. Don't give in."

"The Empress Mother is dying, Jake. Decide quickly."

He held her hands. "I won't come with you."

He sighed. "Too bad then. He faced the werewolves. " Kill them all!"

"Give me your hand." Cleopatra whispered to him. Jake quickly brought his hand as their enemies advanced towards them. Cleopatra sang in a shrill voice and suddenly a bright light filled the whole place. Jake couldn't find the werewolves anymore, nor his comrades. It was just him and Cleopatra.

"Channel your energy to me, now! We don't have time!"

He held her two hands and focused. She hummed a song and Jake could feel his power flow towards her.

"Don't let go, Jake. It won't be for long."

He held on, even though his knees were wobbly. He looked up and found her humming loudly, her eyes burning in gold. She has golden eyes. Like me! She kept humming, her face fully focused.

Suddenly she stopped and the light disappeared. Jake went on his knees and soon fell on the floor. Before he passed out, he saw Calypso rushing towards him, shouting his name.

Jake surveyed the area, wondering what he could do. The werewolves were already forcing cracks through the forcefield. If nothing was done, they could all die.

"Justin, hold Austin." He quickly dropped Austin and flexed his hands. There was one spell he learned from Celeste, the only spell he learned from someone that wasn't Calypso. He never used it because it was very dangerous to use. The spell could literally burn anyone it targeted.

So he turned to Zachris. "You guys have to stay directly behind me and bend down."

"You have an idea?"

"A spell. I have only used it once but I don't have a choice. You have to act quick, the forcefield won't hold for long."

Zachris moved into position with Justin. Jake put his palms together as if he wanted to pray. Then slowly, he started to channel his energy towards his palms and then started to move them apart slowly.

A ball of mystic energy came out, growing larger as the werewolves broke through the forcefield.

"Jake! Now!"

Jake separated his palms, releasing a huge burst of energy all over the arena.

When he opened his eyes, all their assailants were on the floor.

"Are they dead?" Justin asked with a hint of dread.

"Yes." Jake answered staggering. The spell had taken a toll on him. "How is Austin?"

"Almost dead. It's a waste holding on to him.

"There is still something we can do." Zachris took him from Justin and started to drain off some poison away from the wounds, using magic.

"He will need your blood, Jake."

Jake turned his tired face towards Zachris. "Why not Justin? Why me?"

"You are an Imperious, your blood is stronger than his. Austin will stand more of a chance with yours. Now I need your arm."

Jake stretched forth his arm. Zachris found a vein and cut it open, then placed it in Austin's mouth.

Soon Austin stirred, the blue color fading away. Jake pulled his arm back and stopped the cut using a band aid.

"Justin, hold Austin up. We need to find the Empress Mother."

"I know where she is now." Jake answered. "I sensed her presence when I released that energy. Follow me."

They moved into one of the exits. Jake took them past two rooms until they got to a torture chamber. There were two female guards but Zachris took them out quickly. Then Jake released Cleopatra from her chains. There was an old woman besides her.

"That's the Empress Mother. Rescue her." Cleopatra said as she struggled to stand.

One of the captives faced them. "Go and rescue the Empress Mother. We will handle these ones."

Zachris nodded and moved to the other end of the room, Jake and his teammates following him.

"Where is Cleopatra?"

"She is been held in another room, likely where the Empress Mother is." Zachris answered as he moved from room to room. "You broke away from the circle, Jake."

"I am sorry.... I shouldn't...."

"We will discuss that later. As it stands, your breaking away saved us and may yet help us in completing the mission."

They soon found themselves in a massive room, completely empty. The area was very hot and humid, making their clothes sticky.

"Something is wrong." Austin said. "This is no ordinary room. It looks like...."

"An arena. We are in their arena. We have to find our....."

A torch interrupted Zachris words. Suddenly, torches started to light up. Jake could see many holes carved out in the arena, like a hundred holes. From those holes different werewolves came out, howling at them.

"This is a trap!" Justin turned to escape from where they came from, only for the door to be barred. The werewolves started to jump down from their holes.

"We have no choice than to fight, Justin." Zachris said. "Prepare yourselves!"

Jake created two arcane shields just in time to block an attack. The werewolf who attacked rushed at him again, only to be cut down by Zachris. That gave another werewolf a blind spot to attack him but Jake fired an energy blasts to take that out.

"No time to practice defence,Jake. We have to break past these enemies!"

They started to attack the vampires simultaneously. Jake shot a few energy blasts and killed some of them before he seized a cudgel from one of his foes. Austin moved very quickly for someone with a big belly, hammering foes into submission while Justin used his silver sword as if it had the weight of paper, cutting them down in a silver blur. Zachris was also doing well, yet the numbers were against them. Soon Austin was overwhelmed, his hammer knocked off his hand as two werewolves bit him down. Jake fired some blasts to relieve him, then created a forcefield around them.

"They are too many. We need to think of a way out!" Jake said as he had a look at Austin's wounds. The fangs of the werewolves went deep into him, the area around the wounds giving off a sickly blue color. The werewolves were banging their weapons on his forcefield, trying to break it

"Austin won't last long in that state. We have to leave him." Justin eyes were dead.

Jake almost slapped him. " How will you feel if you are the one that is been abandoned, Justin! How can you speak like that?"

"He will drag us down, Jake. Don't mourn him, if it were you, he would leave you behind. We will all leave you behind, no questions asked."

Jake left Austin. "So that's how you see it, Justin! Well, I differ, we can still save him....."

"The more time we waste here, we won't be able to save Cleopatra and the Empress Mother. Saving him will jeopardize the mission! Is saving him more important than the mission, Jake? Tell me!"

"Shut up, both of you!" Zachris faced Jake. "If we want to save him and complete this mission, we need something big from you, Jake."

At the foot of the mountain, Jake found two sentries at the entrance. Both of them were with swords and horns. Behind them was another sentry, more muscular, with a gun and another horn.Even if I managed to kill the first two instantly, the third one will blow his horn! He knew that once that horn sounded, he had no chance to rescue his team.

So Jake walked close the mountain, still invisible to his enemies. The sentries were oblivious of him. Jake had a sudden thought. I could as well walk through the middle and they won't even notice. He planned to move forward but then realized that the entrance was dusty. They may see his footprints and still decode that someone is moving.

Sighing, he started to move to the side of the mountain. There were more sentries on each side of the mountain but they were ignoring the sides and we're focusing on the ends of the mountain. Jake crept quickly and started to climb the mountain, hoping to avoid detection.

Jake found magma at the top of the mountain. There was also an entrance, completely undefended and unguarded. He quickly slid into the entrance from the top, avoiding the magma.

Inside the mountain was pitch black. Jake used his hands and felt his way. He suddenly found himself on the top of a room.

Two werewolves were talking about their captives in a weird language. Jake couldn't see the faces of the captives as he was directly above them. They were many captives, as many as twenty. Then one of the werewolves held his prisoner's head up. It was Justin. His teammates were there. He noticed that his mouth was sealed with dog tape, keeping him silent.

Jake became dead silent as the werewolf slapped Justin and then punched him, provoking laughter from his fellow werewolf. They were guarding them, Jake deduced. There were two doors, likely an entrance and an exit. I must be inside the ventilation system. He waited to see if he will have a chance to kill the guards.

Suddenly, one of the doors opened and another guard came in and took the other two. They left the room.

Jake jumped down quietly. Their weapons were on a table. Jake quickly removed the weapons and barred the door.

His teammates looked alarmed until he dispelled his spell. He also broke their chains and removed the dog tape. The captives started to breath heavily, almost gasping for air.

"What's happening?" Jake looked at them for any signs of injury, but there was none. He tried to carry Justin but found him too heavy.

He heard the door move.

"They used spells.... We can't move...." Zachris spat out blood.

Jake focused his eyes on them. Initially he saw nothing but after a while he started to see the chains.

He could hear angry voices trying to break into the room. Jake used a weight spell on the door before attempting to remove the spell that held them down.

He focused his hands and eyes on the chains, trying to break them. The spells caused his hands to burn and his eyes to hurt, like it was on fire. The captives struggled as he tried, the chains choking them.

Suddenly the chains fell off. Jake fell to the ground, feeling exhausted as Zachris and everyone else dusted themselves up.

"Well done, Jake." Zachris dragged him up. The others started to pick their weapons.

The door burst open.

As he ran, he heard an angry argument in his back and then the horn was sounded.

Immediately werewolves sped towards his direction. Jake had to hide behind an Iroko tree so as to avoid any chance encounter. There were so many of them that he knew that if he attempted to fight, he would have been captured, invisible or not.

As the flood of wolves reduced to a trickle, he sneaked out from his hiding place, taking care not to trip on anything that will give his location away. Once he was in a safe distance from them, he decided his next move.

They were expected! Someone had planned everything, including the Empress Mother kidnap and the subsequent failures to rescue her. He was sure that he was the target. They want him for something, something about a ritual. If he turned back and left his teammates, he would be back to the coven and be saved. But who will believe his words? The Empress will take him for a traitor and it will be difficult to defend himself. Even his father will be sore pressed to defend him.

Yet if he proceeded forward, there is the likelihood that he will be captured and the enemy's plans will come to pass. Whoever the plan is, it has to be grand to involve so many characters. The werewolves must have had help from vampires, probably Imperious such as himself and maybe some other vampires sympathetic to their cause. Besides, he was sure that neither Justin or Austin will attempt to rescue him if he was captured and they were free. They will just make a lie and that will be the end of me.

But Cleopatra is there and Zachris and the Empress Mother. He couldn't just leave them there. Especially as Cleopatra's father had asked him to take care of her. He didn't promise to do so, but it would be bad to abandon one of the few people who had treated him well, one of the few who cared for him.

I can't leave her. Jake knew what he had to do at that moment. So he turned and moved cautiously towards the mountain.

Good afternoon everyone.

I have been a bit down emotionally, that's why I haven't been updating this story. However I hope to continue later today(if I see power supply).

Thanks for your patience

Damn!

Jake looked around in frustration. Why couldn't he just hold on? He was spinning violently but still he could have held himself.

"Now how do I get back to my team?" He knew that they would have landed in front of his location, but how to get there was going to be a problem. It's also possible that he wasn't the only one who landed in a different location. Austin was barely holding up when he fell off the circle. The team may have as well scattered.

The sound of leaves rustling forced him to be alert. This is werewolf territory, it will not be good if he was discovered.

He cast an invisibility spell on himself, just in time as two werewolves burst out of the woods into the clearing where he stood.

"Where did he go? He fell here!" A big brute asked his slimmer werewolf.

"He may have run away. We got the others, why waste time on him?"

The big one landed a knock on his head. "Anyone who slips pass us is a threat. Moreover, we are supposed to use one of them for that magic the lord promised us. That's why we didn't kill them, dumbwit!"

What? They were expected? "Yeah, yeah, I know. But it baffles me how Crocus knew that they will arrive now. I mean, we have killed every unit they have sent, so why will they keep sending more men here?"

"It's because of the damn old woman! She is some important person to them. Moreover, the lord assured us of their arrival. If what I know of this......."

"You two bumbling fools!" A tower of a werewolf, far taller and bigger than the other two came forward. "Spilling such secrets when you haven't found the missing person. He could be listening, damn fools!"

They all kept shut. They are all waiting for me to make a sound! Jake was sure that if he moved an inch, they will rush to where he was, invisibility spell or not. Yet he had to move.

They won't hear my hands move, though. Quickly he threw some knives towards the tree by his left, cutting down trees in the process.

"Hear that? He is there, I bet it!" The slimmer werewolf raced towards there, the brute following him. But the biggest one kept quiet and waited. He had a horn. He didn't take the bait. Jake had to take him quickly before the others returned.

He had one knife left. This has to be perfect. Any mistake and that horn will sound, calling anyone who hears it towards him. Jake thrust the knife.

It cut his throat and was quivering. It was planted deep enough to stop him from blowing the horn, but it kept him alive. I have to end this! Jake made a fist and faced him, firing two energy blasts.

He died, but the light from the blasts was so bright that the other two would have seen it and start rushing towards his location. He had to get out fast. Jake ran towards the mountain. He knew that he had limited time.

Jake focused on the food, methodically eating it without taking in the taste or smell. I am after nourishment, not the taste. When he was done, he walked back to the team lounge.

Everyone was ready. Justin was sharpening his sword while Austin held his war axe. Zachris was with a map.

"Everyone, come together!" They all came forward and looked at the map.

"We land here. Then we walk down until we reach there. From there, we infiltrate the place and get the target out of there." Here was a spot in the forest, not far from the mountains. There was closer to the mountain, at the back of the mountain actually.

"How do we get there?" Jake asked.

"Cleopatra will teleport us to the location."

"Won't the werewolves detect our presence? That will bring complications."

"They may or may not detect us, Justin. If they do, we may have to fight or retreat and then regroup, depending on the circumstances. Any more questions?"

"Yes. How do we know the Empress Mother? All we know is that she was kidnapped. None of us have ever seen her."

"I have, Austin. Don't worry about that. Now this is our formation. Justin and Austin shall stand in front of Cleopatra while I and Jake stand at her back." He turned to Jake. "The room will spin when she starts. You may feel dizzy and nauseous. Puke, shout, cry, I don't care. Just don't fall out of the circle, do you understand, Jake?"

"I understand everything apart from the circle."

"You will understand it soon. Now, everyone should stand on that circle there."

They all moved to the circle made of white chalk and sawdust. Cleopatra stood at the middle, with Justin and Austin at the front. Jake stood behind her with Zachris.

Cleopatra started a small chant, her eyes shut as if in prayer. The sawdust started to swirl around them, spinning faster and faster.....

....and suddenly they were outside, flying through the skies. The spin was now affecting everyone and Jake could see different spots at the same time. His legs began to waver."

"Justin, hold Austin and make sure he doesn't fall off!" He could hear Zachris giving orders, Austin puking and almost falling off, Justin holding him, a scowl on his face as Austin's puke flew into his face. The white chalk circle was now made of gold and it kept moving and swinging. Jake saw the forest and Oluwo Mountain

"Keep holding Austin, Justin!" Zachris shouted as he turned back.

"Jake, don't leave the circle!"

Jake saw his body almost out of the circle. Before he could recover, they all disappeared and he was alone.

Alone in the middle of the forest.

"The council decided to use the best weapon available to them for this mission. Fortunately or otherwise for us, we do have that." He said, looking at Jake.

You could have well screamed it from the rooftops! He may not have said anything about that again, but it was clear what he meant.

Very clear.

He took a spoon of the blood porridge and swallowed it, trying to dissolve his fears in the pleasure of the porridge. Something has to swallow my problems.

"You haven't touched your food, Jake! We may not have the chance to eat for a while, I hope you know that."

Jake turned and faced Cleopatra.

"I am not hungry." He pushed the food away.

"She's right, you have to eat." Zachris said, startling Jake. "I am glad that I met you here, Cleopatra. He sat besides him.

"I know you feel the pressure. I know you feel that I set you up for this. I didn't, Jake. Believe me, I would have loved to dodge this mission."

Jake gave him a blank look. You think I would buy what you are selling. "I don't know what to think. I don't trust you, true but I don't want to think that you did this. This mission....."

"Is of utmost importance and we shouldn't be the ones to tackle it." Zachris finished it for him. "I know. Everyone thinks the same thing. What everyone doesn't know is that we are understaffed at the moment. We lack the men and the numbers. To make matters worse, most of our elite teams are dead or stretched. There was no other choice, Jake. I mean it."

He stood up. "Be sure of this, Jake. We will walk through this together. We will be fine. Everyone, including you will be fine." He walked out. "Meeting is in an hour's time, Jake. Try and eat.

Twenty-One

Jake sat down and looked at his food. In a few minutes time, he and his teammates will be facing the greatest danger they have ever faced and none of them would be ready for it.

Clad in his armor and mail, Jake ran through the plan that Zachris had in mind.

The Empress was kidnapped in some forest close to the famous Lagos-Ibadan expressway. The werewolves had killed all the members of her escort and had held her hostage. The coven had sent two special units to rescue her and both units failed to return. Scouts have zoomed in on their location, so his team was selected to go there next.

Zachris wanted to make this as quick and bloodless as possible by sneaking into the place and rescuing her. The problem was that the place was Oluwo Mountain.

Oluwo Mountain was the headquarters of the werewolf kingdom. Deep in the forest between Lagos and Ogun state, the werewolves have fortified the area to the brim with traps and magic spells. To add to the issues they will face, scouts have also spotted members of the Deviants in the forest, assisting the werewolves.

Zachris had noted that the mission was way above their station, yet they were given the mission because all other options were exhausted. Other special units and elite fighters were engaged or in other missions and can't be recalled, the older and more experience units and squads will be too weak to get her and they didn't want to spark a war so close to where humans pass so as to keep the secrecy of their world. "The humans can't get to know that we exist." He said.

The main disturbing reason however was because they were given the mission because of Jake's powers.

He sighed. "I know. Now eat."

She sat down and promptly attended to the dish. The juiciness of the cow used for the blood steak did a lot to ease her tension and the food did its job of filling her stomach. Once she was done, she looked up and found Gerald smiling at her.

"Why are you smiling?" She asked as she gnawed on the cow bones.

"If only Muyiwa and Ore will see you the way you look, you will understand. Next time don't starve yourself."

"I blame you, not myself. You are the one who made sure that they brought my favorite."

"Yet you are the person attacking it with vigor."

She cleaned her face with a handkerchief, wiping off the remaining blood that was on her lips. The steward removed the dishes.

"Now you should have a bath." Gerald stood up to order another steward but she held his hand.

"I can do that myself. Go deal with other things" She stood up and called her servants.

"Yes, my lady. I won't fuss over you again." He stood up and left.

Soon enough, Simi was in the bathtub, enjoying the soothing effect of the warm bath. Her eyes felt heavy and she soon went to sleep.

You shall be queen, until someone comes and shatters all that you hold dear and you will watch your world burn! Hahahahah!

Simi stood up so sharply that she flooded the bathroom. That dream again. She cleaned herself up and dressed up.

Quickly leaving the royal chambers, she found her way to the Oracle. As she attempted to knock on the door, it opened.

"I have been expecting you, My Empress."

The Oracle was in a simple white gown, attending to her plants. Her eyes looked drawn and worn out, like she was trying to resist sleep.

"It's about the dream, isn't it?" She asked in a way that seemed like she answered her question.

"Yes. It comes in different varieties, but the end result is the same."

"I have been having the same dreams, Your Eminence. That's a sign that the time for the prophecy is coming. Where is the boy?"

"Gone on a mission."I won't tell her about the mission.

"Gone to rescue your mother, isn't it?"

How did she know? "Yes."

"I saw it in my dreams. His team will succeed but their success only draws the day closer. When he returns, make sure he sees me. I have a word for him."

Simi stood up slowly and almost fell.

"You have been fasting?" Gerald asked as they left the church. "Take something to eat. I know how you feel about your mother, but fasting isn't going to solve anything." They entered the royal quarters and sat down.

"She raised me, Gerald. What are you expecting me to do? I need to rest."

"Rest and eat. Collins!" Gerald called a steward. "Get the Empress some blood steak and a glass of cow's milk mixed with a baby's blood, now!"

The steward left with alacrity.

"Who did you send to rescue her?" Simi's eyes were almost giving in to sleep but she resisted it.

"Zachris and his team."

"Zachris?" She was up. "Isn't he the team leader for Jake? You know how I feel about that lad!"

"Simi, calm down. We have sent two teams previously and they fai....."

"Doesn't mean that you have to send him! We have other elite units and teams. This is my mother for heaven's sake!"

She looked at him shaking his head. "Simi, we have other troubles. We have to monitor the Deviants, there are other werewolf packs all around....."

"Doesn't mean you have the leave to send them! Besides, isn't he a rookie? Why Jake, Gerald? Why? Do you want to make him a hero and make it easier for him to get closer to the throne meant for Muyiwa?"

"Simi!" He was fuming. "Don't bring this up! Jake is there because that's the best we can do. I could have brought another team if we were not running out of time!"

"What do you mean?"

"Lord Glabach reported that the werewolves were preparing a sacrifice for something and they are working with the Deviants. I suspect your mother's kidnap is related to this."

"The more reason why professionals should be involved in this."

"With what time? Before any elite unit or team gets here and then there, it would be too late. Most of the teams are on mission and out of the rest, Zachris team are the best equipped for this." Simi felt his hands on her. "Believe me, I have thought of this. I didn't just send them because I wanted to, I had to do it. Your mother will be safe."

The steward came with the order. The food was sizzling, yet she didn't feel hungry.

"My mother is paramount, Gerald. If she does, I won't forgive you."

hotswagg12:
This update is too short and the facts that the update does not come on time is killing the vibe of the story. Pls make sure the update is long enough and it's worth reading. Thanks

I will increase the length of the post.

Anytime I leave an incredibly short post, know that I wanted to write something longer but I was under pressure to put something short and I will come back to increase it.

Thank you for reading so far.

TWENTY

Simi knelt down, staring at the horned glorification of Lucifier. Her mother's picture was on the floor.

"Please, Prince of Light and giver of gifts. Please protect my mother and those who will rescue her. Don't let her to die."

The priests moved around the altar, burning incense as they prepared the sacrifice for her mother. A young girl, born for this purpose was laid down, her will suppressed to make things smoother. Simi looked forlorn and tired.

"You should go and have a bath, Simi."
She turned and found Gerald looking at her. He wore a simple green robe decorated with the constellations of the world.

She looked at him in fury. "Really? You want me to go and have my bath when my mother is kidnapped and probably dead! I won't!"

"Simi, your mother isn't dead. I may not have conclusive proof but I am sure that she is alive. We will get her back, I promise you. Even if it means I go there myself with a team!"

Don't try and cozen me! "Please spare me, Gerald! You will never soil your hands over anyone's troubles."

His eyes went red in anger. "Really, Simi? Really? You know that's not true. Besides, do you want everyone to think you have lost your mind? Or you are locking this place down because of your mother?" He squatted besides her. "You smell, Simi. I know you are concerned but you are the Empress. You have to be neat and more importantly healthy. What do you think other vampires will say if we rescue your mom and then you become sick because you didn't have your bath?" He left her up.

"We will get her back, I promise that."

Calypso looked at Austin with wary eyes. "Now? He just returned from a mission."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, it's Zachris orders and the Emperor asked for this personally. To be fair, I do need a rest, but am not the Emperor nor is Zachris."

She faced Jake. " You need to go if the Emperor did ask for your team."

Jake stood up gingerly and followed Austin.

They passed the Great Hall, the tables and chairs constituting a minor obstruction. Then they left the hall and walked through the aisle before getting to the team lounge.

Justin was waiting for them at the door, cleaning his silver sword. Cleopatra was munching a snack but stopped when they entered. Zachris was standing by the table.

In front of him was the Emperor.

His face was grave and drawn, his red eyes spoke in silence- speaking anger, worry and anxiety.

"Before you start your meeting, Zachris, let me speak to everyone present." He then faced them as Jake sat down with the rest.

"The Empress Mother was on her way here from her home in the forest of Ondo to this place for the celebration of the new year. Her escort was waylaided by werewolves. Her guards were slaughtered and we assume she was abducted by them. Zachris will brief you on where we think she is, but mind you, we have sent elite teams to find her. They have failed and have dead teammates for their efforts. We have no choice but to turn to you. The coven depends on your success. Zachris, you can start right now."

hotswagg12:
This update is too short. Thanks anyway.

Apologies. My phone was about to die, so I had to just drop that. I have increased it. Thanks for following up.

Jake turned and saw Calypso looking at him.

"I am fine. Just that I didn't want to be the reason you criticize Celeste."

"Really?" She chuckled. "You think that I criticized Celeste because of you?"

"Yes. I made my arcane shield too powerful that instead of absorbing the fireball, it deflected it."

Calypso burst into laughter. "By Lucifer's loins! You can be very funny, Jake." She sat besides him. "You shouldn't worry about that or anything at all. Tell me, what made you lose focus during your sparring? Is it what happened on the last mission?'

I knew it!

His face must have shown his wrath, for Calypso tapped his shoulder.

"Zachris had to report what happened, you know. He has his superiors."

"By now everyone will know about what happened and the fear and hate I faced when I came here will return. Why couldn't he just keep quiet about it? He doesn't understand what it feels to be in a hostile environment, he doesn't understand what it means for you to receive food and be thinking if it's poisoned or if the person who walks pass you isn't planning to kill you." Tears were running down his cheeks. "I have been through so much and now that things are getting better, this then happens!"

"Calm down, Jake!" Calypso hugged him tight. "Calm down." Jake felt her presence comforting and calming. When he calmed down, she let go of him.

"Zachris only told the Emperor and the Empress. Your father has passed an order to keep the incident quiet. I and Thomrod know about this because we are your trainers."

"Then why is Celeste looking at me that way?"

"Because you embarrassed her. Moreover, she loved Remus and you killed him."

"Oh!"

"Yes. So you can see, your secret is safe. Did you know about your ability before that day?"

"No." In truth, Jake had been suspectjng that his abilities were beginning to expand since he got his armor. While he doesn't wear them often, he had noticed that he had gained the ability to peep into people's minds quietly and easily. The truth is that he barely entered their minds before returning to his own. Most people and vamps will not even notice his presence in their minds because they are occupied with other things.

"But you suspected that you could do it, right?"

"Yes. I thought it was normal until Cleopatra told me it took years for many vampires to get to that level and that stronger vampires and werewolves often resist it. The one I controlled is an Alpha. I didn't want people to fear that I will use the power for evil."

"Don't worry about it, Jake. Apart from your teammates, no one else knows. Even if they do know, it changes nothing. Remember, you own your destiny."

She stood up. "Next week, we will train more on your mind control abilities. For now, just relax about it and...."

"Jake! There you are!" Austin's short frame suddenly came into view. "We have a mission. An important one."

TWENTY

Celeste kept on shooting fireballs at Jake. He had been blocking various types of attacks for more than an hour. Calypso had insisted on more practice with magic after they had returned from their last mission.She knows about the mind control! They all know! Zachris had warned him about this

"The Emperor has called me to a private meeting. I don't know what it's for, but if about our mission, I will have to tell him everything- including your attempt to use mind control on the werewolves." Jake had pleased that the information should be left out, but Zachris had refused. He won't lie to his superiors, he said.

Now another hysteria will start. He hadn't thought of it as anything serious- the mind control thing obviously. Then Cleopatra disabused him of that.

"Jake! Focus!"

His mind returned to the present. His arcane shield was down, almost empty. The arcane shield is the easiest type of shield to create. At least that's what Calypso had said. The only price to it was that you needed to focus.

Suddenly a huge fireball appeared from nowhere. Jake instantly increased the strength of the arcane shield, deflecting the fireball back to Celeste. The alarmed vampire quickly raised huge columns of water to douse the fire. It worked, but it left the training theater in a cloud of vapour.

He heard Calypso clap. "Nice work using the water, Celeste. Tell me, if an attack followed what you did, will you have the strength to bring up a shield?"

Jake put down his shield as Calypso scolded his sparring partner. The mist cleared, allowing Celeste the chance to give Jake a last glance before walking off.

"How are you feeling, Jake?"

"Jake did what?!"

Gerald eyes asked Zachris what he meant.

"It's wasn't like I left him or something.." Red sweat ran down his head. "We had all taken our targets and Cleopatra was moving to take the children to safety when they jumped out of nowhere?"

"They?"

"They were two. I moved to take care of the Alpha but he was far too quick for me. Austin was attacked by the second one, who cut through his armour and threw him off."

"They were advancing towards Cleopatra who was about to use her forcefield to protect the human children when they stopped. The Alpha then ripped the second one apart, before tearing his head off."

"Where was Justin and Jake at that point?"

"They had moved to dispose of the bodies of the werewolves killed. By the time they returned, it was too late to join the fight."

"But the Alpha killed himself and his second."

"So I thought until I saw Jake's eyes. They were golden instead of red and they were burning."

"Burning?" Simi looked very disturbed. "Are you trying to say that Jake controlled their minds?"

"Yes. I feel that he forced his mind into them."

"You feel?"

"I felt his gaze and the intensity of his mental power."

The silence was deep. Gerald could hear Simi's elevated heartbeat. How did Jake get so much power?

"Where is Jake?"

"He is in the team lounge, waiting to be debriefed."

"Fine. Make sure you all visit the hospital after the debriefing."

"Sir?"

"Just to get some checks. I will talk to the doctors, they will know what to do."

Zachris bowed and left.


"Gerald, Jake is becoming very powerful. Very powerful."

"Simi, don't start....."

"Really? You can't see the danger? You won't stop defending him until he slits our throats!"

Gerald felt slapped. "Do you think I will not defend my own family? You really think if it comes to it, I will shrink from killing him?"

"I don't think so, I know so! You have always defended him!"

"Because you are so set on killing him! You can read minds, Simi! Read my mind!"

He saw her eyes glow golden, then he felt her in him. Then she went back to herself.

"I am sorry. I am just so....."

"Scared? Scared of a prophecy that may or may not happen the way we expect it. We can't judge Jake just because he has a jump in his abilities." He put his hands on her shoulders. "I will protect you and the children and the whole coven. I will die for the coven if need be. But Jake is part of that coven now. I have sworn to protect him as well."

He straightened up. "I need to see the doctors so that he can see to Jake. We need to understand what is happening to him. Then I have to see the Oracle."

Simi relaxed. "Fine. I will trust you on this. I have to see Muyiwa and Ore."

Gerald moved away from Simi and opened the door and came face to face with a messenger.

"My Emperor, the Empress Mother has been kidnapped!"

Zachris wore a red shirt with the shoulder pads made in the likeness of dragon scales. A white T-shirt peeked out of the red shirt. His trousers were also red with red boots. When he knelt down, his silver hair fell to the side, creating a sharp contrast to his clothes. His skin was pale white.

Too much red. Yet Gerald was not interested in his choice of clothes but he had more interest in what he had to say.

"Arise. How did the mission go?"

"The mission went well, my Emperor. The humans were recovered and sent back to their homes."

"Did you wipe their memories of the incident?"

"Yes."

"What about your team? Any issues?"

"No sir."

"What about Jake? Did he do anything?"

Gerald looked at Simi. She is determined to drag Jake down! He knew that she didn't approve of the choice of Zachris, mainly because he doesn't toady to her and others in the hierarchy. Gerald chose him for that reason and the reason that he has previous experience with Impervious vampires in the past.

"No, my Empress. He did all that was required."

His tone sounded like there was something amiss. Simi pounced on that.

"I see. Tell me what happened with the Alpha werewolf."

Zachris face contorted in surprise. "My Empress, how did you know that there was an Alpha?"

She smiled mischievously. "I know a lot, Zachris. I see a lot, even when you try to hide it from me."

You read his mind. You read his mind, hoping to pick off Jake! Gerald was fuming inside. Her golden eyes were shining with malice.

"Zachris, excuse us for one minute."

The stunned leader stood up and walked out.

"Simi, what's wrong with you? How can you use such power on him?"

"What did I do wrong?" She laughed. "What is making you worked up, Gerald?"

"You know what is making me angry. To use your powers in such a malicious fashion, reading his mind without permission....."

"Oh please!" She waved her hands dismissively. "I found out about the Alpha from Austin."

"Don't play games with me, Simi. I saw your golden eyes working. Moreover, the rest of the team are in the team lounge, waiting for debriefing. Austin won't be able to see you until I am done with Zachris."

"Fine, fine. You caught me fair and square. I searched through his mind. You know I don't trust him."

"So what you did is to try and control him, isn't it?"

She sighed. "Gerald, if I wanted to control him, I would need to put more into it and that will be obvious. Moreover I have no reason to try and control him."

"Indeed! You also didn't have any reason to control Muyiwa and force him to use a Minquake on Jake!"

"Gerald!"

"Simi! Don't try and patronize me. I know what you can do!"

Simi looked at him in anger,as if she wanted to do something. Then she relaxed.

"I am at fault, I know." She started. "I shouldn't have peeped into his mind, but I have no intention of controlling him. I just need to know how Jake is doing."

Gerald rolled his eyes. "Please don't do that again. I need to be able to get reports objectively, without bias or control. Do I have your word on this?"

"You have my word."

"Zachris, you can come in."

Zachris was more composured when he walked in.

"What did the Empress mean about the Alpha? How did you kill him?"

" It wasn't I that killed him, my Emperor. It was Jake."

NINETEEN

"He is a threat, Gerald! There is nothing you can tell me that will keep me silent!"

Gerald ignored the comments from Simi and walked towards the commander's office. Since the day Jake had picked the sword and armour of Herrick, the whole coven had been restive.You could have chosen something more simple, Jake! He was been harsh, he knew that the sword chose him. Even if he had picked a hammer or a spear, once he came in contact with the sword, there would have been no contest.

If Muyiwa had picked the sword, Simi would have been dancing for joy! The sword of Herrick was very powerful: it could cut the strongest of shields and forcefields, it can deflect almost any attack and it heals the user instantly. Add the fact that it ampilifies the user's abilities, then it is a dream weapon. The only flaw in the sword is that it's limited to the user's ability and flow of magic and the user can't stand invasion of his mind once he uses the sword. But most times the user of the sword is an experienced fellow.

Now it has fallen to a boy. To be truthful, Gerald was happy that he had the weapon; at least it was not Justin, Glabach's son who used the weapon. Yet it worried him. If Jake becomes the threat Simi envisions him to be, even Gerald wouldn't be able to stop him with that sword. Especially if the sword begins to ampilify his abilities.

Now he has to hear how Jake has been performing in his team. He had called Zarchis, his team leader in here for that very purpose. He wanted to hear this alone, but Simi had learned of the arrangement and pushed herself in here.

She was still speaking about Jake when they sat down.

"Simi!" He faced her. "I don't want to hear anything about Jake until we are done with his team leader, do we have an understanding? No judgement, just listen, okay?"

"Fine!" She said, stomping her feet. Gerald drew her head to his shoulders and got her to relax just as Zarchis appeared.

"You shall be placed in a team of five with a team leader. Your teams have been selected and we have categorized all of you according to your abilities and potentials. We shall pick at random from each category one person."

"Your names and faces will appear on the screen in front of you. Once you see your name, you are to walk through the open door by your right where you will be directed to your team. Remember, your team is like your family outside this coven and within it, so treat it with all the attention it requires. Good luck."

The voice stopped as a screen came on.

Jake leaned on the wall, a bit absent minded as the names started to appear. As threatened, they came with their faces. Recruits moved into the door and the area started to think out. Jake stopped Cleopatra and was about calling her when her name appeared and she left.

A few vampires noticed him and started to whisper between themselves. Probably hoping not to fall in the same team with me. It was oddly cheering. He didn't want a team where he was overly pampered or where he will carry the whole load in battle.

He was still thinking of that when his name came up. He found himself in team 4 and wondered what that would mean for him. Conscious of the various shades of eyes watching him, Jake walked out of the Great Hall through the right door.

The door led to a stairway going down. Jake followed it. When he got to the end of the stairs, he found an arrow on the wall pointing to the right. He followed the arrow, wondering why he had to go through this stress. He then got to a door with '4' written on it. He opened.

Jake found himself in a garden with Cleopatra and two other guys. One was stocky and a bit short, with black hair and a double edge axe on his hand. The second guy had silver hair which seemed to be alive in the light. He held a longsword and a silver shield and was gilded in all silver. Sir Silver

From his back a voice spoke.

"Welcome to team 4, Jake."

The Great Hall was devoid of the seats and tables that usually adorned it. In it's stead was a sea of bodies. Jake looked out for a familiar face and saw none. His presence was not noticed and he was grateful for that.

Sweat was all over his face. Jake was feeling like he was cooking and it was not just the nerves. The sword seemed to been warming him up and his cloak and chainmail made him feel heavy.

Suddenly, the lights went out, causing murmurs among the recruits. Jake could see clearly without the light and could catch a few recruits praying. Praying for a favorable team, I guess. He wondered if he should be praying and decided not to. I will likely get a bad choice. What gods will create beings that are in need of blood everytime?

A voice boomed from the hall, cutting through the noise like a sword through silk.

"Good evening our dear recruits. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the selection process.

They left the armoury and made their way to the Great Hall, where Jake will be meeting his teammates.

"What's it like, meeting new teammates? Well, this is my first time and I don't know what to expect."

"It's like every other meeting, Jake. It can go smoothly or otherwise but nothing serious. Just be calm and cool."

That's easier said than done. Meeting and working with people who wanted your head a few weeks ago wasn't going to be as easy as she made it sound. That said, it will not do him any good to be tense. Most of that animosity had washed away and in place of that is now curiosity. Only for the time being. Once something goes wrong, all the hate rushes back. He had experienced that as a human, when he was playing football with people twice his age.

At the door of the Great Hall, he met Thomrod waiting for him.

"Come inside when you are done with him." Cleopatra said as she left Jake and entered the hall.

"The sword of Herrick the Emperor. An epic weapon, I dare say."

The fact that he started with that spoke volumes. "It chose me, that's what Cleopatra said. I don't know what to do. I wanted...."

"A regular weapon with no special significance or mention so as to fit the simple life you want. Your life is not that simple, Jake. You should know that by now."

"But if you didn't tell Cleo that the best weapon for me is a sword, I co....."

"Cleo, now?" Thomrod smiled. "You have developed affections for our beautiful Cleopatra."

"No. I just came up with the nickname."

"Yet you have none for me or Calypso or even your father."

Why did he mention him? I barely see my father. His eyes blazed in anger. "I guess I don't matter that much to him."

Thomrod shook his head sadly. "Your father is a busy man...."

"Yet he has time for the Empress and her chicks. Mind you, if he didn't get my mother pregnant with me, I ..."

"Couldn't have existed. I know what you think but I didn't wait here to bicker about your father. I came to see you. Remember what I told you."

"You told me a lot of things, Sir."

His smile became a bit wary. "Sir? When did we become so formal?"

"I am sorry." Jake looked down. "I don't know, I feel, I feel scared. Like what will happen if I go there and everyone sees the weapon I have. It will cause an uproar in the coven."

"Which is none of your fault." Thomrod put his hands on his shoulders and faced him. "You can't do anything about this. Focus on what you can do, Jake. Remember, no matter what happens, you are not a prophecy. You are a person. Your destiny is in your hands. You determine what will happen, Jake. Now go there and show the coven your true self."

He patted Jake on the back. As Jake held the handle of the door, Thomrod tapped him on the head.

"Good luck."

"Okay. I am sorry."

She rolled her eyes. "Don't be sorry, be focused. Do I need to start all over again?"

Jake scratched his hair. It had been inching him for a while.

"Maybe so. Why can't I just choose any weapon or armour?"

"You will be going on missions or if the gods forbid, war. You can't slay your foe when you are spending hours lifting your weapon."

"Obviously. But what else?"

"You have to take a weapon that you are adaptable to. Thomrod said that you are great with two swords offensively but too weak to defend against a mace or an hammer."

"Would my enemies wield a hammer or a mace?"

"It's possible. We may be fighting other vampires or werewolves. Some werewolves are that strong to hold hammers greater than what Thomrod uses."

Then pit them against my teammates, not me. Jake had hoped that he will be able to make use of two swords in battle, he was a terror in them. But Thomrod had more experience and Cleopatra seemed to follow his lead.

She sensed his disappointment. "You will use a sword, but not two. Thomrod and Calypso had discussed this and decided on that.

"I didn't have a say on it? That's unfair!"

Cleopatra smiled. "Life is unfair, Jake. You of all people should know that. Well, you can start by picking a sword."

Jake walked to where various different swords were hung and started to pick. The first he picked was a silver colored longsword. He held it up and took two swings with it before it shattered, giving him a fright.

Cleopatra blinked her eyes. "Well, that's certainly not for you."

Jake was confused. "I didn't mean to.... They won't blame me for this, will they?"

"No. If the warrior is powerful, the weapon can shatter when he or she holds it."

Walking gingerly, Jake picked a great sword and dropped it. "Too heavy." He picked a slim blade and held it strongly. He attempted a swing.

"Drop the sword!" Cleopatra shouted, sweat rolling off her brow.

"What, it isn't...." Jake stopped as he felt his legs buckle and weaken. "I can't seem to drop it. What's wrong with me?"

Suddenly the sword caught fire and started to burn. Jake tried to knock the sword off but instead the surrounding area started to burn. Cleopatra was weaving some hand signs but nothing was happening.

Jake was about to lose consciousness when a cloak suddenly covered him and the sword. The fire went off and then the sword dropped.

"Jake! Jake!! Can you hear me?"

He picked himself up and looked around. "What happened? Why couldn't I remove the sword?"

She looked at him in wonder. "Jake, you are a marvel. That sword chose you."

"Chose me?" He sat on the floor. "What is this cloak doing on me?"

"It's armour, Jake. It also chose you."

Jake felt his strength returning. He stood up.

"You can pick the sword now, Jake. Remove the cloak and take the sword."

"The same sword?" He wondered if she was mad.

"Pick it."

Jake nervously removed the cloak and picked the sword. It caught fire again, but this time it was controlled and calm. He felt a surge of energy.

Cleopatra gave him a sheath. "Keep the sword, hero!"

Jake smiled before keeping the sword and taking the cloak.

Cleopatra then took him to an room where he picked a thin chainmail and greaves. When they left the armoury, he turned and asked her about the sword.

"It's the sword of Herrick the Demon k
King. He was Emperor for a thousand years. He created this sword by capturing a dragon and dipping the sword into the belly, chanting powerful spells. Since then the sword has been known to consume magical powers and slay the most powerful of foes- vampires, werewolves, trolls, dragons, dinosaurs, warlocks... It's even said he dueled the devil with the sword."

"And?"

"When he was about to die, he made the cloak in order to temper the fury of the blade and swore that only his heirs will wield it. Since, it has only been used by two people in the coven."

"Who?"

"Lord Glabach and your father."

And now, I am the third. Jake felt a huge lump on his head.

My life has just become more complex.

oluwatosin070:
I apologize. Please take good care of yourself.

Your health matters first. You can update at your pace, we'll relate.

Stay safe

Apology accepted.

I have a lot of things on my plate at the moment and NEPA doesn't help matters. For five days now, no light. It's hard to be updating everyday with long epistles when your phone battery can die at any moment. Data is another issue and my phone needs replacing, which I don't have the money for at the moment. All these frustrate me a lot.

So please bear with me when I don't update regularly.

pyro10:
You're loosing lots of readers i must tell you,

Maybe I will just stop this story, since everyone wants me to come and kill myself here.

If you can't wait for the next time I write, then please stop following the story, there is so much I am going through in life right now.

Thank you.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Jake walked down the armory with Cleopatra, looking at the various weapons and armor on display. Today was the day that he joins a team as a warrior, which everyone seemed to expect.

New vampires are fitted into different roles after they visit the Oracle the first time: some are placed in the steward category, some are builders while the rest are warriors. Stewards can be farmers, those who attend to the blood farms that deliver the coven it's first choice meal, other stewards serve the elite which include the Emperor and Empress and the members of the council. Others deal with meal and official running of the coven. Rarely does one see a steward serve the Oracle or dab into the magical sphere.

The builders create and maintain the great buildings that the coven have. Some of them create sculptures and mosaics celebrating different people while a few work outside the building for the coven.

But the striking force of the coven is the warriors. They are the ones who fight the battles, create weapons and run assignments for the coven. They engage in spy activities, reconissance missions and serve as messengers to other covens.

That's where they chose to place Jake in.

"With your prophecy, the council seemed to have no choice." Thomrod told him when it was announced. "If a storm is coming and you are the key to it, it's better if you are prepared for battle and there is no better way to achieve that than to place you among the warriors. Besides your talent places you there."

Jake understood his point but he was apprehensive. Due to the prophecy, everyone seemed to be cool with him, like they are afraid of offending him or something. Jake felt that it is a prelude to a trap. Yet it can't be helped, after all he wanted amity not strife.

"Jake, are you listening?" Cleopatra cut into his thoughts.

"Yes...erm.no. Am sorry."

She shook her head. "I know this may be overwhelming for you, but please try and focus. We have to pick the right weapon and armor for you."

The Oracle pointed to a chair. "Sit, Your Eminence. There is something I will show you."

Simi looked at her insolently, but did as she requested. The Oracle picked a stone and dropped it on the table in front of her, then she picked a cup of water and poured it on the table. The water flowed towards the stone and got divided by the stone.

"Prophecy is like this water. Your actions are like the stone. You want to divert the water, distort the prophecy, but the result may not be what you expect."

"But the water is divided, Oracle." Simi looked unimpressed.

"Yes, but it still spills on the floor, in the spot where it would have been without the stone." The water converged and flowed towards the floor. "To stop the water from getting to that spot, you have to alter the direction of the flow completely and no Oracle can tell you how, because that is not revealed to us."

"But it can be done?"

"Yes. It can. But will you know the result, My Empress? Will you be satisfied with what will happen if you take certain actions to forestall the danger you think?"

"You are talking of Jake, aren't you? You think I shouldn't continue with my plan of selecting one of his teammates."

"On the contrary, that's the most I will advise you to do. Monitor him, but don't go beyond that. Our doom may not come from him, but from someone around him."

Simi's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"When I looked into his future, I saw his blood spilling on our insigna. That is a clear indication that he has a part to play in the impending doom. Whether his role is for good or evil, I couldn't see. But I know this: the blow that will shake the foundation of the coven will involve him. May be his blood will activate the Horn of Pandora, may be someone will collect his blood to create something, some weapon similar to the Horn, I don't know. What we can hope is that when the blow comes, we will be ready to stop it and that Jake will not be lost to us."

Simi stood up. "Thank you for telling me this, Oracle. One more thing, who else knows about what you told me?"

"Only the Emperor, Your Eminence."

"Then we should leave it that way. No one else must know, not even Jake himself!"

"Demands?" Simi was raging. "When did the Oracle become my superior that she demands my presence? The servant quickly bowed and left.

Left without an apology. The Oracle will answer for this! Simi stormed towards the Oracle's chambers.

She met the Oracle working on her plants.

"What right do you have to demand my presence? What right?"

The Oracle turned back blithely. "Seline, what did you say to the Empress?"

The servant came back.The stupid servant "I said that the Oracle demands her presence."

"Next time, say that the Oracle requests your presence or begs your attention." The Oracle spoke like she was teaching a toddler the alphabets. "Now apologize to the Empress!"

The servant turned towards Simi and knelt down in reverence. "I am sorry if I offended you, my Empress!"

"Now go! I have important matters to discuss with the Empress."

The servant dashed out of the room.

"Apologies for the manner in which she delivered my message. Seline can be an oaf at times."

"Why send her to me if you didn't mean offense?" Simi's eyes burned.

The Oracle ignored that. " You intend to put one of your people in Jake's team, right?"

Simi's eyes lost it's fire in shock. "Did Ore tell......"

"Your daughter told me nothing. In fact I didn't know that she was the person who planted the idea into your head. I saw it in my dream. I also saw your death. Yours and mine."

The room suddenly became dark in her eyes. My death? Simi knew enough of the Oracle to know that it was not a jest or a joke.

"That's why I asked for you."

"How did I die?" Simi's eyes spoke loudly. "How?"

"You were in the forbidden section of the library, close to the room where Pandora was kept. Someone held Pandora in one hand and was choking you to death in another."

Simi felt vulnerable and cold. "Pandora? That horn?"

"Yes, the horn."

"Did you see who killed me?"Tell me it's Jake.

"No, your Empress. However, your daughter died with you."

Ore? Why? "So my daughter's death is the same day? What about my son?"

"I didn't see his death. Neither did I see Jake."

Now what? Since the day of the prophecy, Ore's stance on Jake had softened. Not because she was afraid of him or so she claims but because of the prophecy, claiming that he was some sort of chosen one. Her plans was to meet Gerald first, though she wasn't sure of what to say.

She suddenly realized that she was frowning and felt ashamed. Ore was her daughter and main supporter during this period. Why can't she see her?

"Where is she?"

"In the royal cellars, my empress."

Probably drinking. Ore inherited her mother's love for wine, alongside her love for power and cunning. "Fine, I will go there. Make sure nobody disturbs us."

The servant bowed and walked away. Simi made her way to the cellars.

She met Ore steaming a cup of blood wine with her eyes. Red eyes. Why did none of her children have golden eyes? She knew that Ore would have used such gift appropriately, unlike Muyiwa Ore was not afraid to shed blood.

"Mother." Ore dropped the cup and knelt down, head bowed.

"Rise." Simi took her seat. "What brought you here this early evening?"

Ore smiled. "I have just thought of something, Mother. As the Empress, you have the right to add or alter any new team that is created in the coven, right?"

"Yes. The royal couple can do that. How is that......"

"Well, since Jake has received his prophecy, then the next stage of integrating him into the coven is to fix his class and then put him in a team. Since he would obviously be a warrior, he would be placed in a team of five. You can put one person in there, just to watch him."

Simi eyed her daughter. "I want Jake dead not watched."

"But you can't kill him, at least without suitable proof, mother. To get such proof you need evidence which you can only get through a spy. Moreover, since he will be with his team for most of the time, you can use the spy to know his weakness. His weakness will be useful when the time comes to kill him."

Simi smiled. This scheme has promise. Gerald would have nothing against her picking a warrior for Jake's team and even if he did, he could do nothing against her.

"You are very smart, my daughter." She stood up and kissed Ore on the cheeks. "This is what I needed." She drained her drink and left the cellars.

Simi was in a positive mood. As she planned her words, another servant came to her.

"Your royal Majesty, The Oracle demands your presence."